topic Re: Question for Retin A users in Beauty

Question for Retin A users

San Antonio Gal — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:40:12 GMT

Do you apply moisturizer after applying Retin A (tretinoin). If so, do you wait awhile or apply it immediately after?

Just wondering if you're supposed to wait until it soaks in first.

Re: Question for Retin A users

SilleeMee — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:49:45 GMT

Moisturizers can be applied before, after or even mixed with tret. No need to wait for moisturizers to soak in either. In any case it won't affect the efficacy of the tret.

I mix mine with moisturizer and apply that way. Just use a very small amount of moisturizer when I do.

Re: Question for Retin A users

Foxxee — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:54:28 GMT

I follow my dermatologist's directions.

Wash face in the evening.

Apply gel immediately after washing.

Do not apply anything to face until next morning.

Apply moisturizer next morning after washing face.

Re: Question for Retin A users

San Antonio Gal — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:10:45 GMT

Thanks for setting me straight @SilleeMee . I always wondered if applying moisturizer immediately after affected it in any way.

Re: Question for Retin A users

San Antonio Gal — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:11:34 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:
I follow my dermatologist's directions.

Wash face in the evening.
Apply gel immediately after washing.
Do not apply anything to face until next morning.
Apply moisturizer next morning after washing face.

Do you apply it everynight or skip nights @Foxxee ?

Re: Question for Retin A users

SilleeMee — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:29:54 GMT

What destroys tret's efficacy is mostly sunlight and using it with other products which contain peroxides and/or with salicylic acid. I think most people know not to use those kinds of products with tret. It's worth mentioning anyways.

Since tret is destroyed by sunlight, application is recommended at night. But that doesn't mean you have to use at night always. It can be used during the day just as long as a sunscreen is applied to prevent the UV from destroying the tret. Sunscreen should be used anyways no matter what the situation involves while on a tret regiment.

Re: Question for Retin A users

SurferWife — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:44:26 GMT

@San Antonio Gal

@SilleeMee answered the question best, but I will add my input on what I do in my nighttime routine.

Double-cleanse - duh!
Apply Tretinoin to clean, dry skin - I apply it from forehead to décolletage, then wait 5 minutes (I've read differing opinions, anywhere from 2-30 minutes before applying other skincare products; 5 minutes works fine for me.)
Hydrating liquids - toner, "essence" (I use WEN RTM), WEN dry oil spray
Hydrating Serums - Hyaluronic Acid booster mixed with Peptide booster
Eye cream
Moisturizer

This routine works well for my dry skin and I've never had any sensitivity or reactions.

Re: Question for Retin A users

Foxxee — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:47:56 GMT

@San Antonio Gal wrote:
@Foxxee wrote:
I follow my dermatologist's directions.

Wash face in the evening.
Apply gel immediately after washing.
Do not apply anything to face until next morning.
Apply moisturizer next morning after washing face.

Do you apply it everynight or skip nights @Foxxee ?

@San Antonio Gal

Usually, no, because even after using 1% for years, sometimes, it results in too much peeling. I think I might be too heavy handed applying the gel at times. I may wait a day or more to see how my skin reacts. I may hold off until it settles down.

Re: Question for Retin A users

tends2dogs — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 21:15:57 GMT

If I have the time after washing my face at night, I wait 20 minutes or so and then apply Retin A. I wait maybe 20 minutes again and use my moisturizer. I rotate what I use for moisturizer depending how dry I am. When I was still up north and in a house with a furnace running, I used my RA every other day because I was getting too much peeling. Now that I am down south, it is more humid and I can use it everyday.

If we go out and I just want to wash my face and get ready for bed, I do the above routine, but without the waiting between steps.

I use Alpha glycolic serum during the day.

Re: Question for Retin A users

SilleeMee — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 21:22:15 GMT

The more products you layer with tret will only delay tret's ultimate goal and that is to reduce lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. If you want to see results as they were intended with tret then use it w/o any other product(s).

Re: Question for Retin A users

bmorechick — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 21:48:32 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
The more products you layer with tret will only delay tret's ultimate goal and that is to reduce lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. If you want to see results as they were intended with tret then use it w/o any other product(s).

I'm with @SilleeMee on this. Maybe some folks feel more is better but I don't think so with retin a. I also wash face and immediately apply Tret from under my eyes down my neck to décolleté. That's it. Why use an eye cream when your already using the ONLY approved anti aging topical...I'm not sure why anyone would want to put another thing on. Been doing this for 11 years. Also use it on the back of my hands...no spots at age 69. The stuff to me is amazing. My skin is so even toned and creamy and that's just one reason I have never worn anything but a blush on my face. Nothing else needed.

Re: Question for Retin A users

San Antonio Gal — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 01:47:13 GMT

@tends2dogs wrote:
If I have the time after washing my face at night, I wait 20 minutes or so and then apply Retin A. I wait maybe 20 minutes again and use my moisturizer. I rotate what I use for moisturizer depending how dry I am. When I was still up north and in a house with a furnace running, I used my RA every other day because I was getting too much peeling. Now that I am down south, it is more humid and I can use it everyday.

If we go out and I just want to wash my face and get ready for bed, I do the above routine, but without the waiting between steps.

I use Alpha glycolic serum during the day.

@tends2dogs - Is this the serum you use below? I also use this serum. I use Retin A every other night. I use this serum on the night I don't use Retin A.

Re: Question for Retin A users

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 03:43:00 GMT

Many years ago, I read an article by a dermatologist who said she did all of her shincare, cleansing thru moisturizing, then waited until bedtime to apply the Tretinoin. She kept her Tretinoin on her nightstand for convenience sake. That's what I do too, except I keep my Tretinoin in the bathroom.

Re: Question for Retin A users

SurferWife — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 02:55:20 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
Many years ago, I read an article by a dermatologist who said she did all of her shincare, cleansing thru moisturizing, then waited until bedtime to apply 5he Tretinoin. She kept her Tretinoin on her nightstand for convenience sake. That's what I do too, except I keep my Tretinoin in the bathroom.

@JeanLouiseFinch

I've read that, too. I don't have any issues with my normal skincare routine and Tretinoin, whether first or last in my routine. Obviously. I just don't use any AHAs or Vitamin C at night. I have a follow-up appointment with my dermatologist next month so I am going to confirm with her again that I'm using it correctly.

Re: Question for Retin A users

tends2dogs — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 14:24:34 GMT

Yes, @San Antonio Gal , that is the one I use during the day on clean skin, and then SPF.

Re: Question for Retin A users

Lakelife62 — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:23:42 GMT

I was also told to apply my Retin A to a clean dry face and to not use any moisturizer until the next morning.

2 things about this:

1. I have used retin a with moisturizer in the past and found the retin a migrated to parts of my face that shouldn't be exposed to retin a. ie eyes, eyelids, inside the notrils. The results are swollen, red, dry, irritated eye skin and chunks of dried crusty skin around the nostrils and inside of the nose. I will never do that again.

2. I have applied retin a within minutes of bed time and had the same results as above. If your face has not completely absorbed the gel, it will transfer to your pillow and as you move during the night, the retin a will end up in places you don't want.

I use 1% and I'm now very careful with it. Azaleic Acid works well for me and I can use it on a daily basis. I only use the RA 1% when I want to deep peel.

Re: Question for Retin A users

SilleeMee — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 20:54:34 GMT

Tret gels penetrate deeper than creams. That's b/c gels have a alcohol/water base which allows it to go deeper. Both gels and creams will penetrate the outer layers where most of it goes but gels will allow it to go deeper to the dermis and more so than creams do. With either gels or creams, applying them to freshly cleansed skin (damp) will result in deeper penetration which for long-term users can be acceptable. However, for starters it's best to apply to well-dried skin to avoid unnecessary irritation.

Re: Question for Retin A users

Dazlin — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 22:59:27 GMT

@San Antonio Gal , I use prescription retin A, .50.

I started with.25. For me, after a thorough cleanse I wait about 20-30 minutes, and then apply the retin A.

I always apply a mild hydrating toner right after cleansing. I'm using Cerave hyaluronic toner, and it's very nice. Depending on my skin, if it'sflakey, I always skip a night or two on retinn A....or I'll 1st apply the toner, and hyaluronic serum1st..then after 20 minutes or so, I'll apply the retin n A. I'll only do this if I feel my skin needs the extra barrier and I'm wanting to apply the A, I always begin to flake after several consecutive nights of usingRetinn A...so I either need to take a break or add a barrier. As for me...there's no truth your skin adapts and stops flaking or itching. I've been using it for 1 1/2 yrs, I still peel. It's a good sign of cell turnover....but yes, annoying. The .25. doesn't cause that on me, but mydermm felt I could move up in strength.

Use a mild cleanser to avoid further drying.

Re: Question for Retin A users

Allthingsgirly67 — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:30:53 GMT

Yes, I wait 20 minutes after cleansing and then apply tret. Then wait another 20 minutes to apply moisturizer. Per my derms instructions.

Re: Question for Retin A users

San Antonio Gal — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 02:37:03 GMT

@Allthingsgirly67 wrote:
Yes, I wait 20 minutes after cleansing and then apply tret. Then wait another 20 minutes to apply moisturizer. Per my derms instructions.

Do you apply every night @Allthingsgirly67 ?